Prime Time Geek

Here’s something very special for you to kick off your weekend, courtesy of our good friend Michael Poley and OETV! On Saturday, March 6th the Orlando Regional History Center, as part of their ongoing “Out of this World” Costume Exhibition, presented an equally “Out of this World” Fashion Show! Here’s how OETV described the event:

The sold out event featured unique superhero and villain-inspired designs from IADT Students as well as celebrity judges from the current season of Project Runway. Though the event has already taken place and the results are already known, the students and celebrities that put the event together make it worth checking out even now as an example of a cool Orlando event put on in coordination with the ‘Out of This World’ Costume exhibition currently happening at the History Center through May 16th.

Please check out OETV–Michael’s doing fantastic work over there, so give him some love!

 

 PTG Episode 101 [58:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 101 is brought to you by “Adventure Chefs: Making Danger Delicious!“, the new reality show being developed for television by our good friend Terry Cronin of Students of the Unusual. As part of PTG’s MegaCon 2010 coverage this past weekend, the first panel I attended on Friday was the “Adventure Chefs” panel, which showed audience members clips of the first couple of episodes shot, as well as introduced the audience to director Steven Shea, who directed Episode 2, and Lisa Corrao, stand-up comedienne and guest judge in Episode 1. I have to say that I’m not all that big on cooking shows. Shows about EATING, like Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and Man vs. Food, on the other hand, will get my attention every time. This concept, sending competitors out into the wild to forage and hunt for what they’re going to cook up for the judges, takes a few elements from those Travel Channel shows in the sense that, in addition to the food preparation portion of the show, the crew and competitors travel to different picturesque locales each week and makes the most of those settings in order to engage the audience. It looks like a lot of fun for everyone involved and a fun show to get into watching every week. Click on the link for Adventure Chefs above and check it out, or find them HERE on Facebook.

This entire episode is devoted to all things MegaCon. In addition to talking about my coverage of the Adventure Chefs panel, the 5th Annual MegaCon Indie Film Festival, and the DC Nation panel on Day 2, The Man from Slacker and the Man joins us on the phone to talk about his adventures (and misadventures) on the convention floor, including his brief but oh-so-unforgettable (and enviable!) encounter with a particular Star Trek: The Next Generation luminary who happens to be VERY active on Twitter!

Speaking of Star Trek, let me take a moment to call your attention to Vulcan Events, the new science-fiction based entertainment venture from Fernando Martinez, a man with over 25 years experience in organizing fun and exciting conventions and events geared towards sci-fi fans. Their first convention will be in Tampa this upcoming April 30th-May 2nd and features special guests Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future, Star Trek III) and Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1, Smallville), along with a growing list of bonus guests. Even though it happens to fall in the same weekend as Free Comic Book Day, you’re not going to want to miss this show, so find a way to do BOTH!

Also in this episode, The Man and I banter about the various parties over that weekend, including the truly EPIC Wolf Pack Elite MegaCon Attendees After Party, which well exceeded all expectations we might have had, so congratulations to them, because I’m sure they could not have been more pleased with the results. From the Sci-Fried show that started the evening, the all-out transformation of Backstage at the Rosen Plaza Hotel into Bartertown, to the auctioning off of “slave” men and women to the highest bottle-cap holding bidder, this party set a new standard in theme parties that I daresay the WPE is going to have to work hard to beat next year!

All in all, everyone involved with MegaCon this year had to be absolutely thrilled at the success of the show, if you measure that success in terms of attendance numbers alone. Three-Day weekend passes to the convention were sold out by late afternoon on Friday, and Saturday the main exhibit hall was packed to capacity, to the point where no one else could enter until someone left the room! I’d say that’s a pretty good indicator of success for a convention.

 

 PTG Episode 100 [62:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 100 is brought to you by lots and lots of people who have given of their time to talk to us on the air about their projects, their pursuits, and their creative endeavors. We gave thanks during this episode to quite a few of them, but there are many more that didn’t get mentioned that we have to thank: Jeff Melvin (Comic Connection), Howey Davenport, Jon Lachonis (DocArzt), Michael Poley, Elizabeth Kozup, Brad Gunnell, Shawn Schinault (Bad Apple Comics), Luis Gutierrez, Jago Blacksky, Steve Rude, Christine Evans-Arriaga, TJ, Moshi, and Buddhaful of the Wolf Pack Elite, Ana Aesthetic, Brian Pulido, Dan Jurgens, George Pérez, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Jerry Sumkin (Cool Stuff Games), Jim McCann, Jonathan Hickman, Christos Gage, Greg Land, Tony Bedard, Billy Tucci, The Man from “Slacker and the Man“, Peter David, Paul Vincenti, Aaron Haaland and Jason Blanchard (A Comic Shop), Aaron Holland (Coliseum of Comics), Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, Shannon Chenoweth, Gary Holmes (Just Push Play), Matthew Ruele, Lou Ornstein, Howard Herbst, James Wright, Jeremy Reinhardt, Stu Cohen and Todd Merrick (Heroes Landing), Steven Shea (Abyssmal Entertainment), Lisa Corrao, and LOTS more. It’s been a hell of a first one hundred episodes, but to tell the truth, I’m hoping the NEXT one hundred will be even better. Time will tell.

For now, enjoy this little retrospective, which includes clips from some of our most memorable interviews and segments, and thanks again to all the listeners and fans for continuing to support the show.

 

 PTG Episode 99 [60:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 99 is brought to you once again by MegaCon. So the plan of attack for me this weekend will be for me to be spending a majority of my time over those three days attending panels. Here are just a few of the panels I plan to hit:

Friday
Adventure Chefs- Making Danger Delicious! Producer Terry Cronin will be on hand to discuss how comic books led to innovation in cooking entertainment.
Time: 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM

Catch up with your Favorite Comic Book Creators. Featuring D.C. Comics creators Tony Bedard, Rob Hunter, Mark McKenna, Stephane Roux, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner and Justin Gray
Time: 4:25 PM – 5:15 PM

The Fifth Annual MegaCon Indie Film Festival. Showcases numerous award-winning independent short films in the genres of action, anime, animation, comedy, horror, superheros, science fiction, and suspense.
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Saturday
DC NATION. Co-Publisher Dan DiDio and some of the industry’s top talent give you the inside scoop on all things DC.
Time: 11:50 AM – 12:40 PM

From Print to Screen. Q & A with Kristanna Loken of Painkiller Jane and writer Jimmy Palmiotti. Ask the writer and star what went into the production of Painkiller Jane.
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:20 PM

Writing Genre Comics. Featuring: Darwyn Cooke, Chuck Dixon, Jimmy Palmiotti, Brian Pulido, Billy Tucci, Marv Wolfman and Justin Gray.
Time: 4:50 PM – 5:40 PM

Sunday
SUNDAY CONVERSATION WITH DAN DIDIO.
Time: 12:10 PM – 1:00 PM

Star Trek Fans Alert!!!
Q & A with two of Star Trek’s most recognized characters Levar Burton and Brent Spiner moderated by Dino Leto.
Time: 1:20 PM – 2:10 PM

Wolf Pack Elite brings you Costuming the Elite Way. Featuring segments on selecting the right materials for a costume, casting and molding, and costuming on a budget without sacrificing quality.
Time: 2:35 PM – 3:25 PM

Probably won’t make it to ALL of those, considering that I’ll be following The Man from Slacker and the Man around as he works his magical ability to get interviews with celebrities and I ride on his coattails, but I’m going to give it a shot! The one I’m looking forward to the most, of course, is the DC Nation panel, where Dan DiDio is sure to spend time talking about all the big recent news to come down the pipe this past week, including the announcement that J. Michael Strazcynski will be taking over writing duties on the main Superman and Wonder Woman titles in July. Last year, it was all about Blackest Night. This year, it’s going to be about War of the Supermen and the Coming of JMS! For more information about MegaCon panels and guests hosting panels, click HERE.

For now, please enjoy Episode 99! In this episode I review Tim Burton’s underrated (in my opinion) take on Alice in Wonderland; plus, reviews of last week’s 24 and Caprica episodes, and the lowdown on Dynamite Entertainment’s upcoming slew of Green Hornet comics, starting with Green Hornet #1, written by writer/film director/comic book lover Kevin Smith.

 

 PTG Episode 98 [65:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 98 is brought to you by MegaCon. We’re now less than a week away from the big show here in Orlando, and PTG will be there all three days this weekend to get as much coverage of the show as we can before our next broadcast, which will be Sunday, March 14th, from 6-8PM. The Man from Slacker and the Man will be in studio with me to help break down the weekend’s events, including the Wolf Pack Elite’s MegaCon Attendees After-Party, from which there are sure to be some good stories! It’s been a while since we’ve done a Sunday show, so for those folks who are regulars to our Saturday night live broadcasts, be sure to remember the change!

In this episode, in addition to our usual headlines and top comic picks segments, Mad Mario, our Highlord of Gaming, calls in to bring us up to speed on the games he’s been binging on lately. He reviews Mass Effect 2 for XBox 360 and Heavy Rain, Dante’s Inferno, and God of War: Collection for PS3. His reviews incorporate a new rating system for games that we hope to include in his future visits, the 1-5 “Pants Tightness” scale. What more could you ask for in terms of a quality scale? Yes, I thought so. Enjoy!

 

 PTG Episode 97 [76:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 97 is brought to you once again by Sci-Fried. In addition to highlighting two of their original songs performed live during this hour of PTG, we want to call your attention to their upcoming performance at the “warm-up” for the Wolf Pack Elite’s MegaCon Attendees After Party on Saturday, March 13th, at the Backstage at the Rosen Plaza Hotel Orlando, right across the street from the Orange County Convention Center. You’ll find all the details you need on the flyer below, and we hope to see you there!

Also in this episode, special guest co-host The Man from Slacker and the Man, the members of Sci-Fried in studio, and I discuss the latest round of rumors concerning casting for The First Avenger: Captain America (John Krasinski?! They can’t be serious …) and a writer for the next Superman feature film (true/not true?), Todd McFarlane (remember him?) readying Spawn for a big screen return, last week’s Smallville and Caprica episodes (terrible and eh, respectively), and the latest events of Blackest Night, including Blackest Night #7 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis, Blackest Night: JSA #3 by James Robinson, Tony Bedard, and Eddy Barrows, and Black Lantern Green Arrow #30 by J.T. Krul and Diogenes Neves. Enjoy!

 

 PTG Episode 96 [63:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 96 is brought to you by Sci-Fried. Once again, we (and in this case I mean me AND The Man from Slacker and the Man, who co-hosted again with me this week) must thank Mike Jensen a.k.a KSV, Chuck Silver, Christine Evans (K’hetara), and Mike Folk a.k.a Walken of Sci-Fried for joining us and performing in studio during our 2/27/2010 broadcast. It was the first live music performance ever on PTG, and they made it unforgettable. During this hour of PTG they perform an acoustic version of “PX-75309“, their parody of Tommy Tutone’s immortal 80s classic “867-5309/Jenny,” which we hope you enjoy as much as we did. Also, PLEASE check out the video for the song, which features some great special effects and costuming work and truly showcases the geekiness that IS Sci-Fried. For your viewing pleasure, the video is embedded below!

Somehow during this hour packed full of Sci-Fried, we also found time to review the latest DC Universe Animated Movie to hit store shelves last week, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Our review features some … insightful commentary from “Walken”, who joins the show late in the hour, and I assure you, it’s randomness at its very best. Enjoy!

 

 PTG Episode 95 [61:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 95 is brought to you by Talk Nerdy. One final HUGE ‘thank you’ to both Carin and Ryan for sitting in on and spicing up this hour of PTG, to Sam Falco, writer/director of the soon-to-be-shooting independent zombie/war film “Goriest Bastards” for taking the time to call in and talk about the project, and to Ryan Scott of the Orlando Ghostbusters for suggesting Sam as a call-in guest and putting us in touch with him. Lots of contributors to a great hour of PTG, so ‘thanks’ all around! Please do check out the now-posted Episode 2 of Talk Nerdy, featuring coverage of the “Out of This World” exhibit currently going on at the Orange County Regional History Center through May 16th that includes an interview with Ryan showing off his ghostbusting gear. The episode also features some sage advice about what NOT to wear if you want to get laid (yes, you read that correctly) and the debut of a skit by Ryan and Carin called “Room Mage” which is truly … well, just watch it and you’ll see it’s pretty epic. Enjoy!

Also in this episode of PTG we bring you a SPOILER-FREE review of Shutter Island, the new suspense film by Martin Scorsese starring Leonard DiCaprio, based on the novel of the same name. It spoils nothing to say that it’s a gimmicky film based on a MORE gimmicky novel–strong acting performances all-around, and if you’re a fan of this particular genre of film, you’re probably going to be a lot more forgiving of some of its shortcomings. To me personally, I enjoyed it to a point, but I doubt it will earn any sort of immortality amidst the vast filmographies of either Scorsese or DiCaprio’s careers. Obviously, I have more to say about it in the podcast, so do give it a listen.

Coming up on this upcoming week’s PTG, Sci-Fried (minus Dr. Vern) stops by to do a few live songs and sit in on the show, along with “The Man” from Slacker and the Man, so it’s going to be another packed two hours that you don’t want to miss. It’s all leading up to our 100th Episode, which will air the weekend of MegaCon, March 12-13th!

 

 PTG Episode 94 [53:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 94 is brought to you by Flash Gordon. Yes, I’m pimping that movie once again because … well, do I really NEED an excuse to pimp that movie? I don’t think so. Folks out there reading this who enjoy that movie, I’m sure you’ll agree one big reason WHY you enjoy it is because of the Queen soundtrack. It’s epic, ubergeek kind of stuff, the immortal “Flash … AHHH!!” in the main theme, the synthesizer-rich music score, all of it. So when you hear someone talking about rebooting or remaking “Flash Gordon” and taking all the camp out of it, taking away the Queen music, if you’re anything like me, it makes you want to slap your forehead and say, “Hello? Sci-Fi Channel? Two years ago? Didn’t finish a season?!” Lots of campy sci-fi from the 70s and 80s have gotten 21st Century makeovers in the past few years, and certainly some of them NEEDED those makeovers to make them viable again as marketable entertainment. A few weeks ago we reported on French director Pierre Morel’s (Taken, From Paris With Love) desire to remake “Dune”, and we implored him to make something that wouldn’t end up having “cult favorite” status. With Flash Gordon, however, I took the opposite stance, as you’ll hear in the podcast. I WANT my Flash Gordon campy and I WANT it with the Queen music, end of story. Who’s with me on this? Yup, I knew it. EVERYONE.

Also in this episode, we discuss the major comics industry headline of the week, DC Entertainment announcing their superstar executive management team consisting of now co-publishers Dan Didio and Jim Lee, and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns. The short term effect of this management reshuffling, you ask? A sigh of relief and a surge of excitement among DC’s fanbase is what I’d wager. After all, arguably the most well-known and popular comic book artist these past two decades, along with one of the industry’s most bankable writers being placed in positions of ultimate authority within the evolving hierarchy of DC Entertainment has got to ease the fears of many who wondered what would come of Warner Bros. restructuring of DC to bring it more in line with the filmmaking division. The long term effects, of course, remain to be seen. We wrap the hour by reviewing last week’s big Blackest Night titles–including Green Lantern #51, Green Lantern Corps #45, and Blackest Night: The Flash #3–and last week’s episode of Smallville, entitled “Persuasion.” Yeah, it’s this year’s Valentine’s Day episode, and it was AWFUL, so of course it’s a fun review. Enjoy!

 

 PTG Episode 93 [70:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Originally posted at PrimeTimeGeek.com.

PTG Episode 93 is brought to you by Florida Battle Con. Actually, it isn’t, since we don’t know the organizers of Florida Battle Con and they certainly haven’t asked us to promote their show in any “official” capacity, but we’re happy to promote them in an unofficial one. This is certainly one of more intriguing and ambitious convention concepts to hit Orlando, at least that I’ve seen. The Man from Slacker and the Man and I spend a good bit of this hour talking about what we know about Florida Battle Con and what we could find on its website, and any convention that promises to mingle comic book, sci-fi, tattoo, and muscle car aficionados along with independent band fans and groupies will certainly deliver a weekend of memorable entertainment. Florida Battle Con is in May, and we’ll bring you more information about it as it gets closer. Just one more busy weekend on the convention calendar for yours truly. Good times!

Also in this episode, The Man and I discuss the season finale of Heroes and weigh in on the chances of it returning for a fifth season, the relative strengths and weaknesses of “24” Day 8, and Smalliville’s take on comic book conventions in its most recent episode, “Warrior.” (yes, we talk about Serinda Swan’s return appearance as Zatanna in the episode, as well) It’s another fun hour, so I hope you enjoy. AND don’t forget, we have more guests coming to sit in on the show this week:

Carin and Ryan from the Talk Nerdy Show will in during this Saturday night’s broadcast to talk about reaction to their first episode and what we can expect from Episode 2, which will be posted on Sunday, February 21st. If you haven’t already, be sure to head over to their site and watch Episode 1–it’s funny and it’s got ME in it. What else could you ask for?